TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • A gentle beginning in Oxford, arriving by train and gathering over drinks in a historic 16th-century country pub before drifting into the countryside together.

  • Golden-stone villages of the Northern Cotswolds, including the quietly beautiful hamlets of Snowshill and Stanton, intentionally chosen for their charm without the crowds.

  • Unhurried time in Bibury, one of England’s most photographed villages, explored slowly and thoughtfully rather than rushed.

  • Market-town wandering and free lunch time in Stow‑on‑the‑Wold, with space to browse antique shops, bookstores, and cafés at your own pace.

  • A visit to Daylesford Organic Farmshop, blending local food, thoughtful design, and countryside indulgence.

  • A rare afternoon at Rousham Gardens, a private and poetic landscape garden often described as a “secret garden,” untouched by modern fuss.

  • A full free day in the Cotswolds, inviting rest, spa treatments, countryside walks, afternoon tea, or optional excursions such as Blenheim Palace or Kelmscott Manor, the beloved home of William Morris.

  • Castle Combe, often called England’s most beautiful village, explored with time to linger, photograph, and soak in its fairytale atmosphere.

  • A leisurely visit to the Georgian city of Bath, with free time for lunch, Roman history, and elegant streets.

  • A transporting afternoon at Iford Manor Gardens or Great Chalfield Manor, where roses, stone walls, and layered history feel almost otherworldly.

  • A day at Stourhead, one of England’s most breathtaking landscape gardens, complete with lakes, grottoes, classical temples, and optional house visit.

  • The timeless hilltop town of Shaftesbury, famous for Gold Hill’s cobbled street and sweeping countryside views.

  • Exploration of Old Wardour Castle, a romantic English Heritage ruin rich with Civil War history and cinematic legacy.

  • Multiple shared meals in country pubs and village restaurants, including a special family-style tasting dinner and a warm farewell celebration.

  • Intentionally paced days, blending guided experiences with free time, rest, and room for personal discovery.

TRIP PRICE $4295.00 Double Occupancy

May is, arguably, the most beautiful month of the year in England. The days are longer and often sunlit, the air fresh and alive with birdsong, and the countryside fully awake after a long winter. Trees are in leaf, gardens are in bloom, and lambs dot the fields as if the landscape itself is quietly celebrating renewal.

The English countryside at this time of year feels almost unreal… a visual tapestry of rolling hills, sweeping meadows, stone villages, and winding lanes where time seems to move more slowly. Roses climb cottage walls and every turn in the road feels like a page from a storybook.

Cottage & Roses is an invitation to linger in this season. Over the course of the week, you’ll wander through honey-colored villages, explore some of England’s most enchanting gardens, and settle into the gentle rhythms of countryside life. Days are intentionally unhurried, with space to stroll, sit, notice, and breathe… balanced with beautiful shared meals and evenings spent around the table.

This tour is not about seeing as much as possible, but about being where you are. It is for those who long to slow down, to savor beauty, and to experience England not as a checklist, but as a place that unfolds gradually; through gardens, villages, conversation, and quiet moments in between.

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TRIP OVERVIEW

TRIP PRICE: $4295.00*

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • *Beautiful, centrally located accommodations double occupancy; $995 Single supplement fee (limited availability)

  • Most meals (6 Breakfast, 5 Dinners)

  • Sudden Journeys Tour Director

  • A small, friendly group of 12 people max

  • All ground transportation (pickup in Oxford/drop off in Bath )

  • All sightseeing, events, and visits as noted in the itinerary

  • All entrance fees, service charges, and standard taxes

  • Coach Driver and Restaurant gratuities

  • Special dinner and welcome drinks

  • Custom-designed gifts for your travels

  • Fine print: You are responsible for the cost of your drinks as well as free-time sightseeing. See our Tour Conditions for important details regarding everything listed above.

Arrival Airport: London (LHR) - Train to Oxford (55 mins)

Departure Airport: London LHR - Return train from Bath (1 Hr 15 mins) or private driver can be arranged for you (additional cost)

Note: The itinerary is descriptive, not definitive, and is subject to change. There also may be modifications due to weather, restoration works taking place are historic sites, and availability of local activities and guides.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Three Nights in The Cotswolds

For your first three nights, you’ll stay in a former 17th-century wool merchant’s house turn boutique hotel-with-a-buzz venue. When you step through the door, you’ll discover there’s a series of small, interconnecting sitting rooms with wood paneling, fireplaces, and shelves of books. The perfect spot to enjoy a book or conversations with new friends. On the other side is another interconnecting set of rooms forming the dining and drinking area: a large, more formal room complete with exposed beams  The bedrooms are warm rustic country feel: think striking feature wallpaper, boldly colored bedheads, and the occasional piece of vintage furniture. The beds are the most comfortable! The best aspect of this hotel: The incredible staff. By the end of your stay, they’ll feel like family. An on-site spa in the shepherd’s hut is available to you. Beyond the hotel, there are many footpaths leading into the countryside and neighboring villages.

Three Nights in Wiltshire

Your hotel for the last three nights sits near ancient woods in part of Wiltshire’s Cranborne Chase Area of Natural Beauty. Nearby the local dells are carpeted with bluebells in spring, a peaceful place to wander on your own. You will discover uniquely designed rooms with predominantly cream-colored walls and fabrics that have a soft, cosseting effect that contrasts with the dark French antique furniture. The bathrooms also feature polished antique brass fittings and walk-in showers with high-gloss tiles.

“The tour was extremely well organized and every detail was considered. I felt so comfortable and well cared for as we all enjoyed this beautiful part of the world.”
— Katie L.

TOUR LEADER: KYLE CAMPBELL

OWNER OF SUDDEN JOURNEYS

Kyle, a seasoned travel guide with over two decades of industry experience, has dedicated her life to creating enriching and inspiring travel experiences for diverse groups. With a repertoire of leading more than 200 groups (over 1500 travelers), she possesses an intimate understanding of the transformative power of travel. Her journeys span across the picturesque locales of Europe and the US, underlining her vast travel experience and knowledge. Yet, with every tour, Kyle's heart for her guests remains the same: to ensure every individual returns home with a revitalized spirit, a broadened worldview, and heartwarming memories of newfound friendships.

Bibury, National Trust

DAY ONE MAY 17TH (Arrival Day) Arrive by train at Oxford. Your private transportation will pick you up from here. You’ll travel to a local pub where you'll spend some time getting to know your fellow travelers. Visit Bibury on the edge of The Cotswolds. Check into your hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner together.

  • 16th-century country pub for drinks and introduction time

  • Explore Bibury, National Trust location

  • Welcome dinner and drinks

Light walking: 1-2 miles throughout the afternoon. Bus 45 mins. Sleep in The Cotswolds

Stanton, a Cotswold village

DAY TWO MAY 18TH (Cotswolds) Depart for your first day exploring the Northern Cotswolds. You'll visit the charming villages of Snowhill and Stanton. We purposely avoid the more crowded villages. Lunch will be in the market town of Stow-in-Wold. You'll have time to explore on your own. Later in the afternoon, make a stop at the Daylesford Farmshop. Visit the enchanging Rousham Gardens. This place is like a true secret garden. Dinner together in a country pub before returning to the hotel.

  • Explore the villages of Lower Slaughter, Stanton, Snowshill, Stow on Wold plus more.

  • Shop at Daylesford Organic Farmshop

  • Visit Rousham Gardens, a private walled garden with a dovecote

  • Free Time: Lunch time at Stow in Wold

Light walking: 2-4 miles throughout the day, some hills and steps. Bus 1 hr 45 mins. Sleep in Cotswolds. 

Burford

DAY THREE MAY 19TH (Cotswolds) Free Day. Sleep in, linger over breakfast. Enjoy a countryside amble. Book a massage or beauty treatment at the onsite treatment room. Maybe enjoy afternoon tea in the nearby village. A few ideas: A day trip to Blenheim Palace, visit Kelmscott Manor — home to William Morris or visit other villages in The Cotswolds. Dinner on your own. 

  • Free Day: Entire day is yours to do as you like

  • Free Day Ideas: Visit Blenheim Palace, explore more of The Cotswolds, Visit a local gin distillery, rent ebikes, a proper afternoon tea, go for a countryside walk.

free day. NO BUS. Sleep in Cotswolds. 

Castle Combe

DAY FOUR MAY 20TH (Wiltshire) Departing early, you'll travel to the southern region of the Cotswolds. Your first visit will be to Castle Combe, considered the most beautiful village in England. You'll have plenty of time to take in this enchanting place. Visit the Georigan city of Bath where you’ll have time for lunch and to explore. After lunch, visit Iford Manor Gardens, a romantic, award-winning garden that transports you as the garden design blends Italian, Byzantine, Ancient Roman, and Oriental garden inspirations, together with architecture and classical sculpture. A visit to Iford Manor Garden is like stepping into another, timeless world. Or visit Great Charli gardens, known for its stunning display of roses. After a full day, arrive at your new hotel tucked away in a sleepy Wiltshire village.

  • Visit Castle Combe, England’s most beautiful village

  • Lunch in Bath

  • Visit Iford Manor Gardens or Great Chalfield Manor

  • Leisure time in Wiltshire for afternoon walks

Moderate walking: 4-6 miles throughout the day, moderate hills and stairs. Bus 2 hr 45 mins. Sleep in Wiltshire.

Stourhead, National Trust

DAY FIVE MAY 21ST (Wiltshire & Somerset) Sleep in and enjoy the countryside surrounding the hotel. Late morning, depart for Stourhead, stunning parkland and house. A breathtaking 18th-century landscape garden with lakeside walks, grottoes, and classical temples is only the beginning. You can also visit Stourhead House, a Palladian mansion with a fantastic Regency library and a beautiful art collection. You will have plenty of time to explore this stunning place. After a wonderful day exploring, we will enjoy dinner in a nearby village;

  • Visit Stourhead National Trust

  • View King Alfred’s Tower and St John’s Pump

  • Unique family-style dinner with a tasting menu in the countryside

  • Free time at the hotel and countryside

Moderate walking: 4-6 miles throughout the day, moderate hills and stairs. Bus 2 hr 45 mins. Sleep in Wiltshire.

Gold Hill, Shaftesbury

DAY SIX MAY 22ND (Dorset & Wiltshire) On your final day, travel south to Shaftesbury, known for its famous view of Gold Street lined with thatched cottages and countryside off in the distance. Later in the day, visit the English Heritage site, Old Wardour Castle. Built in the 14th century as a luxury residence, Old Wardour Castle survived two bloodthirsty sieges in its time, perhaps most notably in 1643 – when Lady Blanche Arundell courageously defended her home for nearly a week with just 25 men and her maidservants. The castle was famously used in the filming of Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, as the ancestral home of Robin. Enjoy discovering hidden corners and winding stone staircases that make it easy to imagine life in the medieval castle. Travel to a local restaurant for a special farewell dinner.

  • Visit Shaftesbury

  • Visit Old Wardour Castle, English Heritage

  • Special farewell dinner

Moderate walking: 4-6 miles throughout the day, moderate hills and stairs. Bus 1 hr 30 mins. Sleep in Wiltshire.

Wiltshire

DAY SEVEN MAY 23RD (Departure Day) Departure brunch. After an amazing 6 days together, it is time to leave. You will depart the hotel for the rail station in Bath.

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TOUR FAQS

  • This tour is designed for travelers who love beauty, gardens, countryside villages, and unhurried days. It’s ideal for those who enjoy walking, lingering conversations, historic places, and time to simply be, rather than rushing from sight to sight.

  • The pace is relaxed and intentionally spacious. While there are full days of exploration, the itinerary balances guided experiences with free time, slow mornings, and opportunities to rest, wander, or opt out when needed.

  • This tour is not wheelchair accessible and may be challenging for guests with limited mobility due to stairs, uneven ground, and some hills. If you’re unsure, we’re happy to talk through the itinerary with you to assess fit. Note the hotels do not have lifts but you won’t have to go more than 1 flight of stairs.

  • You’ll stay in charming, countryside inns that reflect the character of the region: comfortable, atmospheric, and thoughtfully chosen for their setting and sense of calm. Rooms are cozy rather than large, as is typical in historic English properties.

  • Yes. We can accommodate most dietary needs and allergies with advance notice. Please share all requirements during registration so arrangements can be made ahead of time.

  • All group transportation during the tour is provided via private luxury mini-coach. Travel times are built into the schedule, and breaks are included to keep travel days comfortable.

  • Yes—intentionally so. One full free day is included, along with lighter afternoons and evenings where you can choose rest, exploration, spa treatments, or solo wandering.

  • We intentionally avoid overly crowded villages, move at an enjoyable pace, and design days around atmosphere rather than checklists. This tour is about dwelling.. in gardens, villages, meals, and conversations, rather than consuming as much as possible.

  • Yes. Many guests travel solo. The group is small, welcoming, and designed to foster connection without pressure. There is always room for both community and solitude.

 

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